How can terrorists be identified before they perpetrate destructive attacks? From the United States to the European Union, the question is being asked; how the techniques for the filing and analysis of preventive and anti-terrorist strategy information can be streamlined. In the meantime, the terrorist escapes control. The panorama is, in fact, so vast and many-sided that it is difficult to understand and know it in its complexity. However, to intervene with the “preventive” aim, as the American anti-terrorist philosophy maintains, raises many questions in Europe. There is a need to reflect upon the errors already committed, improve the methodologies of the utilization of the data and, above all, know better the potential terrorist, before he actually becomes one, when he is still “our” very normal next-door neighbour

Terrorism is questioning the political and social stability of our countries. It is posing a number of a challenges to democracy. From London to Tehran, the main aim of the terrorists is to destabilise and weaken the State. The crucial issue to be addressed is the identification of those who are behind the terrorists. Saudi Arabia is accusing Qatar of promoting, supporting and financing jihadism, and Riyad has severed diplomatic ties with Doha. Tension is high in the Gulf region and the winds of war are blowing

Wafa Idris has been the first Palestinian woman to suicide in a terrorist attack in Israel. Historically, the extremist religious groups have always preferred not to train women for suicide attacks but when in Israel the security measures were reinforced, it became more difficult for men to carry out terrorist attacks and women, who had always been less monitored than men, started to be trained as kamikaze. In the following exclusive article for EPOS, Melania Malomo analyses the reason(s) that push a woman to become a suicide bomber and she portrays a clear and thorough picture of the so-called “female terrorism”

Bangladesh has a long history of fringe extremist groups. Some of those are a legacy of the war in Afghanistan, in which some Bangladeshis fought; others are byproducts of the Wahhabi influence that Bangladeshi workers in the Persian Gulf brought back when they returned home; still others are ISIS-addicted. The Islamic State is recruiting supporters among that part of the population dissatisfied with the government's handling, and perhaps the attackers in Dhaka were some of them. Whatever its exact nature, however, according to the analysts it seems that terrorism is largely the result of the government’s repression against mainstream dissent

The hopes of revival of India-Pakistan peace talks received a set back after the Pathankot incident in the first week of January 2016. The Pathankot incident belied the hopes, and in turn weakened the constituency of peace and strengthened the constituency of spoilers. Pathankot happened after one week of Indian Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Lahore. India has demanded that unless Pakistan takes action against the culprits of the attack, it would not engage in dialogue. Pakistan’s position has been it would take action on the basis of evidence. What will it happen? What future for India-Pakistan peace process? Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra, EPOS analyst from India and expert in conflict management in South Asia, has given his answer to these and other questions

Epos converses with Prof. Ricardo R. Larémont

byNicolamaria Coppola (EPOS)

EPOS Conversations

At least 21 people were killed in a terrorist assault in Radisson Blue Hotel in Mali; dozens of people were trapped in the building for hours, before Malian and U.N. security forces launched a counterattack and rushed guests away. Two African jihadist groups claimed responsibility for the attack. In the aftermath of the assault, many questions raise up. EPOS has interviewed Ricardo R. Larémont, Professor of Political Science and Sociology, and leading expert on political Islam, Islamic law, conflict resolution, democratization, and civil/military relations. In the following exclusive interview for EPOS, Professor Larémont answers questions on the terrorist attack in Bamako, talking about jihadism in Northern Africa and the future of the region

Epos converses with Nicolas Tenzer

byNicolamaria Coppola (EPOS)

EPOS Conversations

Terrorist attacks in Paris have left more than 120 people dead yesterday. The attacks took place in multiple locations and involved different methods. The identity of the terrorists and their motives are still unknown, although French President François Hollande has promised a "merciless" response. EPOS has interviewed Nicolas Tenzer in order to better understand and to depict clearly what is happening in France and in Europe after the terrorist attacks in Paris. Mr Tenzer is an expert in geopolitics, geostrategies and security affairs. Senior civil servant, writer, and editor, Nicolas Tenzer is the director of the journal "Le Banquet", and President of the Centre d’étude et de réflexion pour l’action politique (CERAP). In the following exclusive interview for EPOS, Mr Tenzer discusses sensitive issues like terrorism, fundamentalism and security in the aftermath of the tragic episodes in France